Trade Groups

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  who will be members of the Scottish trade group announced on 8 July 2011; and what criteria will be set for membership;
	(2)  what powers will be provided to the Scottish trade group announced on 8 July 2011; and what funding the Government plans to provide to the group.

Michael Moore: Overseas trade and investment is vital to the economic recovery and it is essential that Scotland plays its part. On 8 July 2011, I established the Scottish Trade Group to examine ways in which the UK Government can do more to help Scottish companies do business overseas.
	This is a non-statutory group which will provide advice to me in my capacity as Secretary of State for Scotland. Its purpose is to serve as a direct channel for companies and others in Scotland to share views with the UK Government on their trade and investment priorities.
	We are working in partnership with the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), who will provide secretariat support and hosting facilities. The Group will draw on the expertise of UK Trade and Investment, Scottish Development International and SCDI who are working hard to help Scottish companies do more trade across the globe. The Group will include representatives from a range of industry sectors from across Scotland, drawing on SCDI's broad membership.

Military Aircraft

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying hours the Sentinel R1 aircraft undertook in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Libya in the latest period for which data is available.

Peter Luff: holding answer 13 July 2011
	I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces.

Cycling

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to promote the Cycle to Work Scheme in (a) Lincoln constituency, (b) Lincolnshire and (c) the UK.

Norman Baker: The Department has traditionally promoted both the Cycle to Work Scheme and the Cycle to Work Guarantee to employers, employees and other Government Departments across the country through a number of Departmental led promotions and projects. The Department also funds the National Business Travel Network (NBTN). NBTN launched a DFT part funded 'ways2work' tool kit in November 2010 to help people and businesses work more efficiently. The tool kit includes a section on encouraging cycling to work.
	Most recently the Cycle to Work Scheme has been promoted through guidance to the members of the Physical Activity Network which is part of the Department for Health led Public Health Responsibility Deal. I have also provided a foreword in support of the Cycle to Work-Alliance's Behavioural Impact Analysis.
	Finally, the results of bids for Tranche 1 of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund were released on 5 July 2011, many of which included elements relating to cycling to work.

Electric Vehicles

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of (a) the likely take-up of subsidies for the purchase of electric-powered vehicles and (b) number of such vehicles which will be subject to the subsidy in (i) Glasgow, (ii) Scotland and (iii) the UK in each of the next four financial years.

Norman Baker: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) Although the market for these new generation vehicles is growing, it is still at a very early stage. There is a provision of £300 million out to 2015 for consumer incentives. The Government are committed to keeping the scheme under regular review to ensure value for money and to keep in step with market developments.
	Manufacturers provide quarterly forecasts of UK supply and sales of eligible vehicles to inform financial planning. However this information and estimates derived from this data is commercially sensitive and cannot be shared.
	(b) 10 vehicles are currently eligible for the Plug-in Car Grant with five currently available for purchase anywhere in the UK. When required by ultra-low emission vehicle manufacturers, OLEV will run assessment panels to determine if additional vehicles will be eligible for the Plug-in Car Grant.

British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) meetings and (b) other engagements (i) Ministers and (ii) special advisers in his Department attended which were also attended by (A) representatives, (B) journalists and (C) other employees of (1) News International and its subsidiary organisations, including newspapers, (2) News Corporation and its subsidiary organisations and (3) BSkyB since 12 May 2010.

Simon Burns: As has been the practice of previous Administrations information relating to internal meetings, discussions and advice is not normally disclosed. I refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's statement to the House of 13 July 2011, Official Report, columns 311-14.

Health Services: Standards

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on implementation of the recommendations of the Marmot review of health inequalities in England.

Anne Milton: ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our Strategy for Public Health in England’ (Cm 7985) was the Government's response to the Marmot review on health inequalities in England. It adopts a ‘life course approach’ for tackling health inequalities by addressing the social determinants of health, in line with the review's recommendations. This cross-Government approach to tackling health inequalities and the wider social determinants of health was developed with ministerial colleagues through the Home Affairs' Sub-Committee on Public Health. This work continues through the Sub-Committee, and as part of wider discussions in other ministerial meetings.

Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation's Perpetual Fund

Denis MacShane: To ask the Prime Minister how much the Government has donated to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation's Perpetual Fund since the fund's inception.

Andrew Stunell: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department of Communities and Local Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have each contributed £1 million in 2011-12 to the Auschwitz-Birkenau restoration fund. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport will contribute a further £100,000 in 2013. The fund will ensure the consolidation, restoration and long-term maintenance of the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps.

Privacy

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will ask the Information Commissioner to update his paper entitled, What price privacy now?, as a matter of urgency.

Kenneth Clarke: I understand that since his ‘What price privacy now?’ report the Information Commissioner has continued to prosecute offenders and raise public awareness of the unlawful trade in personal information.
	The Commissioner is independent of Government, and decisions on producing reports are entirely a matter for him. Under the Data Protection Act 1998, and in addition to his Annual Report, the Information Commissioner may at any time lay reports before Parliament on his functions as he sees fit.

Illegal Immigrants

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have overstayed their visa in each of the last six months for which data is available; and of those, how many (a) have been identified and deported and (b) remain in the UK.

Damian Green: It is not possible to accurately quantify the number of overstayers in the UK as some deliberately evade immigration control in order to remain in the country illegally.
	The e-Borders system enables checks to be made on individuals arriving or exiting the country at a majority of the points of entry to the UK, but it is not yet fully rolled out. E-Borders is currently tracking around 55% of inbound and 60% of outbound passenger movements to and from the UK. This equates to approximately 126 million passengers a year on over 2,800 routes, and includes over 90% of non-EU aviation passengers. The Government are committed to increasing the number of UK ports undertaking exit checks to ensure that a more complete passenger travel history is recorded.
	This will enable provision of the information requested to be developed as e-Borders is progressively rolled out.
	We are however able to provide the number of identified overstayers and of those how many have been subsequently removed, between January 2011 and June 2011.
	
		
			 Month Identified Removed 
			 January 2011 2,109 1,035 
			 February 2011 2,394 1,147 
			 March 2011 2,767 1,381 
			 April 2011 1,780 643 
			 May 2011 2,022 695 
			 June 2011 2,384 719 
			 Total 13,456 5,620 
			 Note: All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols.

Pensioners: Poverty

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the level of pensioner poverty in rural communities in each of the next four financial years.

Steve Webb: In recent years, the Department has not published assessments of future trends in pensioner poverty. Currently, macroeconomic uncertainty and the Department's significant programme of welfare and pension reform mean that it is not possible to produce any reliable estimate of future trends in pensioner poverty.
	Estimates of pensioner poverty are published in the Households Below Average Incomes series. The most commonly used measure of pensioner poverty relates to those people with income below 60% of contemporary median household income, after housing costs. This is often referred to as relative poverty.
	The latest data available from the Households Below Average Incomes for 2009-10, show that in England, after housing costs, the proportion of pensioners in relative poverty is 16% in rural areas compared to 16% in urban areas.
	For Wales, the latest data available from the Households Below Average Incomes for 2007-08 to 2009-10, shows that, after housing costs, the proportion of pensioners in relative poverty is 17% in rural areas compared to 17% in urban areas.
	In England and Wales, the corresponding figures based on 2009-10 data are 16% in rural areas compared to 16% in urban areas.
	In Scotland, the corresponding figures based on 2007-08 to 2009-10 data are 14% in rural areas compared to 13% cent in urban areas.
	Notes
	1. These statistics are based on Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data sourced from the 2009-10 Family Resources Survey (FRS). This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.
	2. Net disposable incomes have been used to answer the question. This includes earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. Income tax, payments, national insurance contributions, council tax/domestic rates and some other payments are deducted from incomes.
	3. Figures have been presented on an after housing costs basis.
	4. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to a degree of uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response.
	5. The reference period for HBAI figures is the financial year.
	6. Proportions of pensioners in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest percentage point.
	7. Three survey years have been combined for Scotland and Wales because single year estimates are not considered to be sufficiently reliable.
	8. Due to different definitions of rurality in Scotland compared to England and Wales, and the fact that no information is collected on the Family Resources Survey covering rurality in Northern Ireland, it has not been possible to present figures for the United Kingdom as a whole.

Fire Services: Finance

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the percentage change is in his Department's grant to each precepting fire and rescue authority between 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Bob Neill: holding answer 11 July 2011
	Figures for year-on-year changes in Formula Grant in 2011-12 compared with adjusted 2010-11 figures, from which percentage changes can be obtained for single-tier Fire and Rescue authorities, are available at:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1112/1112chngs.xls
	Details of changes in the revenue spending power for all authorities including Fire and Rescue authorities from 2010-11 to 2011-12 are also available, at:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1112/spannexas.xls

Health Inequalities

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the outcome of the Marmot Review into health inequalities in England; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government has not made an individual assessment of the outcome of the Marmot Review on health inequalities. We have worked closely with other Departments on the public health reforms and through the Public Health Sub-Committee to ensure a cross government approach in addressing the social determinants of health inequalities. The public health consultation ran until 31 March 2011 and the Government will be responding in due course.

Local Government Resource Review

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many officials in his Department (a) are working on the local government resources review and (b) have been seconded to HM Treasury to work on the review.

Bob Neill: The work of the Local Government Resource Review has been taken forward by existing teams within the Department for Communities and Local Government, alongside their existing policy responsibilities. Taking account of support from legal and analyst colleagues, 14 officials have been involved in the substantive work of the review at various times. In addition, support has been provided by three additional members of staff, one of whom is employed by HM Treasury but who is co-located with this Department.

Departmental Regulation

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many regulations that impose costs on businesses his Department has (a) introduced and (b) removed since 1 September 2010; what the net effect on the costs on businesses of such introductions and removals was; and what regulations have been excluded from the one-in one-out system because they address (i) emergencies and (ii) systemic financial risks since 1 September 2010.

Tim Loughton: In the period between 1 September 2010 and 12 July 2011, the Department for Education made five statutory instruments which imposed costs on business. In the case of these five statutory instruments, impact assessments were carried out which identified the likely costs implications associated with their implementation. These impact assessments can be viewed using the links provided.
	The Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011:
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2010/9780111503850/pdfs/ukdsiem_9780111503850_en.pdf
	Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Children's Homes etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2011:
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/553/pdfs/uksiem_20110553_en.pdf
	The School Finance (England) Regulations 2011:
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/371/pdfs/uksiem_20110371_en.pdf
	The Visits to Former Looked After Children in Detention (England) Regulations
	2010:
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2797/pdfs/uksiem _20102797_en.pdf
	The Childcare (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2010:
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/307/pdfs/uksiem _20100307_en.pdf
	None of the statutory instruments which were revoked by the Department between 1 September 2010 and 12 July 2011 imposed any costs on business.
	The one-in, one-out regulatory management system, although announced in September 2010, did not come into force until January 2011. A list of regulatory measures introduced or removed in the first half of 2011 can be found in the Statement of New Regulation in the Libraries of the House.
	None of the statutory instruments which have been made or revoked by the Department since January 2011 has been excluded from the one-in, one-out regulatory management system on the basis that they either addressed (i) emergencies, or (ii) systemic financial risks.

Pay: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average weekly gross earnings of full-time (a) men, (b) women and (c) people in York were in (i) May 1997 and (ii) May of each subsequent year (A) in cash terms and (B) at constant prices.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated July 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the average weekly gross earnings of full-time (a) men, (b) women and (c) people in York were in (i) May 1997 and (ii) May of each subsequent year (A) in cash terms and (B) at constant prices. (65675)
	Average levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. The ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom
	The following tables show the median gross weekly earnings for full-time employees in York in April each year from 1997 to 2010 and also these estimates expressed in 2010 prices by using the Retail Price Index as a price deflator.
	
		
			 Median gross weekly earnings for full-time employee jobs  (1)   in York in April for years 1997 to 2010 
			 £ 
			  Full-time 
			  Men Women All 
			 1997 *363 *235 *297 
			 1998 *372 *250 323 
			 1999 *382 *267 *340 
			 2000 *403 *286 368 
			 2001 *402 *303 372 
			 2002 448 *306 *400 
			 2003 *446 *335 405 
			 2004 *460 *342 *419 
			 2005 *454 *356 414 
			 2006 481 *391 451 
			 2007 *500 *393 *462 
			 2008 *483 **398 *462 
			 2009 *527 *400 *476 
			 2010 *505 *447 *479 
		
	
	
		
			 Full-time earnings at 2010 prices  (2) 
			 £ 
			  Men Women All 
			 1997 518 335 424 
			 1998 510 342 442 
			 1999 516 360 458 
			 2000 528 375 482 
			 2001 517 391 479 
			 2002 568 388 507 
			 2003 548 412 497 
			 2004 552 411 503 
			 2005 527 414 482 
			 2006 545 443 511 
			 2007 542 426 501 
			 2008 503 415 481 
			 2009 555 421 501 
			 2010 505 447 479 
			 (1) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. (2) Estimates of earnings at 2010 prices have been derived using the Retail Prices Index as the price deflator. Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: CV<=5% * CV >5% and <= 10% ** CV > 10% and <=20% CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics

Departmental Regulation

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many regulations that impose costs on businesses his Department has (a) introduced and (b) removed since 1 September 2010; what the net effect on the costs on businesses of such introductions and removals was; and what regulations have been excluded from the one-in one-out system because they address (i) emergencies and (ii) systemic financial risks since 1 September 2010.

Justine Greening: Since 1 September 2010, the Treasury has (a) introduced and (b) revoked the following regulations which impose costs on business:
	
		
			 (a) Introduced 
			 SI number Name of regulation introduced Costs/benefits 
			 No. 2010/2993 The Financial Markets and Insolvency (Settlement Finality and Financial Collateral Arrangements) (Amendment) Regulations 2010: EU directive not in scope of One In One Out £0.5 million transitional costs, estimated £15 billion benefits, based on EU Commission Impact Assessment. Equivalent annual net benefit to business > £1 billion 
			    
			 No. 2011/99 The Electronic Money Regulations 2011: EU directive, not in scope of One In One Out £1 million transitional costs, £7 million transitional benefits. £0.7 million Equivalent Annual Net benefit to business over 10 years 
			  The Terrorist Asset-Freezing Act 2010 The costs imposed by this Act replicate the costs removed by the revocation of SIs 2001/3365, 2203/1297, 2005/1525, 2006/2657, 2009/1747, 2009/1911 so there was no net effect on business 
		
	
	
		
			 (b) Revoked 
			 Statutory instrument number Name of regulation revoked Costs/savings 
			 No. 2011/883 The Friendly Societies (Proxy Voting) Regulations 1993 Savings of £10.2 million per year in conjunction with the Mutual Societies (Electronic Communications) Order 2011 The Friendly Societies (Proxy Voting) Regulations 2011 revoked The Friendly Societies (Proxy Voting) Regulations 1993 (as of 1 October 2011), but all the provisions in the 1993 regulations were included with amendments to allow electronic communications 
			    
			 (S.I. 2001/3365) Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2001 The costs removed by this revocation were replaced by the Terrorist Asset Freezing Act 2010 
			    
			 (S.I.2003/1297) Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2001 (Amendment) Regulations 2003 The costs removed by this revocation were replaced by the Terrorist Asset Freezing Act 2010 
			    
			 (S.I. 2005/1525) Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2001(Amendment) Regulations 2005 The costs removed by this revocation were replaced by the Terrorist Asset Freezing Act 2010 
			    
			 (S.I. 2006/2657) Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2006 The costs removed by this revocation were replaced by the Terrorist Asset Freezing Act 2010 
			    
			 (S.I. 2009/1747) Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2009 The costs removed by this revocation were replaced by the Terrorist Asset Freezing Act 2010 
			    
			 (S.I. 2009/1911) Financial Restrictions Proceedings (UN Terrorism Orders) Order 2009 The costs removed by this revocation were replaced by the Terrorist Asset Freezing Act 2010 
		
	
	(i) Since 1 September 2010, my Department has introduced the following regulation which was excluded from the one in one out system because it was an emergency:
	
		
			  Name of regulation Cost  s/benefits 
			 2011/548 The Libya (Financial Sanctions) Order Minimal costs on business 
		
	
	A number of asset freezing regulations introduced dealt with emergency situations; however these were exempt from the one in one out system because they were EU related measures.
	(ii) Since 1 September 2010, my Department has introduced the following Statutory Instruments which have been excluded from the one in one out system because they address systemic financial risk.
	
		
			 Systemic financial risk 
			 SI number Name of regulation Costs/benefits 
			 2010/3023 The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Administration Orders Relating to Insurers) Order 2010 No net cost to business 
			 2011/239 The Investment Bank (Amendment of Definition) Order 2011 No net cost to business 
		
	
	
		
			    
			 2011/245 The Investment Bank Special Administration Regulations 2011 No net cost to business 
			    
			 2010/2220 The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Contribution to Costs of Special Resolution Regime) Regulations 2010 No net cost to business 
			    
			 2010/2578 (S.5) The Bank Administration (Scotland) (Amendment) Rules 2010 No net cost to business 
			    
			 2010/2583 The Bank Administration (England and Wales) (Amendment) Rules 2010 No net cost to business 
			    
			 2010/2586 (S.7) The Bank Insolvency (Scotland) (Amendment) Rules 2010 No net cost to business 
			    
			 2010/2579 The Bank Insolvency (England and Wales) (Amendment) Rules 2010 No net cost to business 
			    
			 2010/2854 (S.6) The Building Society Insolvency (Scotland) Rules 2010 No. No net cost to business 
			    
			 2010/2581 The Building Society Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2010 No net cost to business 
			    
			 2010/2580 The Building Society Special Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2010 No net cost to business 
			    
			 2011/1301 The Investment Bank Special Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2011 No net cost to business 
			    
			 2010/2628 The Capital Requirements (Amendment) Regulations 2010 No net cost to business 
			    
			 No. 2010/2993 The Financial Markets and Insolvency (Settlement Finality and Financial Collateral Arrangements) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 £0.5 million transitional costs, estimated £15 billion benefits, based on EU Commission Impact Assessment. Equivalent annual net benefit to business > £1 billion

Departmental Visits Abroad

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2011 Official Report, columns 1241-2W, to the hon. Member for Glasgow North, on Bilderberg Group, when he will post on his departmental website data of expenditure on official overseas visits up to the end of June 2011.

Justine Greening: The Department has committed to publish details of all Ministers meetings, hospitality and overseas travel. This is in accordance with the Government's transparency agenda.
	Details of the costs of overseas travel are published quarterly on the Treasury website on the following page:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm
	It is expected that the quarter covering 1 January to 31 March will be published shortly. The quarter covering 1 April to 31 June will be published in due course.

Meters

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will make it his policy to allow people to opt-out of the national roll out of smart meters on health grounds.

Charles Hendry: The Government recognise that there may be a small proportion of customers who have concerns of one kind or another about receiving a smart meter. These may include people with concerns about electromagnetic sensitivity. During the coming months, we will be doing further work to make sure we fully understand the concerns individuals may have and how the programme can best respond to them.
	We estimate that over the next 20 years, the rollout of smart meters will deliver £7.3 billion net benefits to consumers, energy suppliers and networks. A large proportion of the benefits of smart metering are underpinned by the ability to access the meter remotely and to provide customers with real time data on their gas and electricity consumption.

Wind Power

Phil Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has made an assessment of the efficiency of on-shore wind turbines; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: Onshore wind is a cost effective source of renewable energy despite its intermittency and load factors which averaged 21.5% in 2010.

Apprenticeships

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to encourage small and medium-sized businesses to take on apprentices.

David Willetts: Apprenticeships provide substantial economic benefit both to employers and to their workers. It is therefore crucial that smaller employers, who form the backbone of our economy, have the opportunity to reap the benefits that apprenticeships offer. We are working to ensure that the process all employers go through to recruit an apprentice is as straightforward as possible. This includes creating a new on-line toolkit, taking employers through the 'end to end' journey from initial interest to actual recruitment, and developing new delivery standards enabling employers to fully understand the level of service they can expect from the National Apprenticeship Service and the apprenticeship provider.
	We are also working with employer representative bodies (such as the Federation of Small Business and the British Chamber of Commerce) as well as employers from small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to identify the barriers these firms may face in recruiting an apprentice. We will come forward in the autumn with proposals to facilitate greater SME engagement with apprenticeships.

Microbusiness

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he taking to support the growth of microbusinesses.

Mark Prisk: In addition to cutting small firms corporation tax rates; and extending tax relief we are modernising business information online; cutting red tape and have a national network of business mentors to help small firms grow.

Apprentices: Greater London

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent estimate he has made of the number of apprenticeship vacancies advertised by the National Apprenticeship Service in (a) the London borough of Bexley and (b) Greater London in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

David Willetts: Apprenticeship vacancies (on line system) data shows that for the academic year 2010/11 employers posted 66,560 apprenticeship vacancies in England between 1 August 2010 and 30 June 2011. Information on the number of vacancies posted at parliamentary constituency and Government office region levels of geography is not available. Apprenticeship vacancies are available to candidates based across England.
	Apprenticeship vacancy reports are updated on a monthly basis and published by National Apprenticeship Service on the fourth day of each calendar month at the following link:
	http://mireportslibrary.thedataservice.org.uk/apprenticeships/apprenticeship_vacancy_reports/
	Apprenticeship places are secured through a range of sources. The latest available data for academic year 2010/11 shows there were a total of 326,700(1) apprenticeship starts between August 2010 and April 2011 (provisional) in England.
	(1) Information on the number of apprenticeship starts is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 23 June 2011:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current

Apprentices: Kettering

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people in (a) Kettering, (b) Northamptonshire and (c) England have started an apprenticeship in 2011.

John Hayes: Table 1 shows a quarterly breakdown of Apprenticeship starts in Kettering parliamentary constituency, Northamptonshire local education authority and England in the first nine months of the 2010/11 academic year, from August 2010 to April 2011, based on provisional data.
	Figures relating to the calendar year are not available, however quarterly provisional totals for each of the last three quarters are shown for reference.
	
		
			 Table 1: Apprenticeship starts Kettering, Northamptonshire local education authority and England, between August 1 2010 and 30 April 2011 (provisional) 
			  August 2010 to  October 2010  (1) November 2010 to January 2011  (1) February 2011 to  April 2011  (1) August 2010 to  April 2011  (1) 
			 Kettering constituency 240 190 190 620 
			 Northamptonshire local education authority 1,570 1,160 1,370 4,090 
		
	
	
		
			 England 122,200 93,900 110,600 326,700 
			 (1) Provisional. Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10 except England total which is rounded to the nearest 100. 2. Geography information is based upon the home postcode of the learner. Source: Individualised Learner Record 
		
	
	Information on the number of Apprenticeship starts is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 23rd June 2011:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current

Higher Education

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to regulate the recruitment practices of private for-profit higher education institutions; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The White Paper “Higher Education: Students at the Heart of the system” (Cm 8122) sets out proposals for a single, transparent regulatory framework for all providers. There will be a new role for the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) as lead regulator.
	For-profit higher education institutions that want their students to access student support funding would have to comply with requirements on quality, dispute resolution, information, access (if charging over the basic tuition charge), financial sustainability, any reformed student number controls and tuition charge caps. As now, HEFCE would sit within a framework of "arm's length" principles precluding it from any role in admissions. This framework, on which we will consult, provides the necessary safeguards for students in respect of quality and information; protects the autonomy of institutions; and ensures government is able to maintain control of its financial exposure.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department has received from the Government Chief Scientific Adviser on a badger cull; and if she will publish any such advice.

James Paice: holding answer 6 July 2011
	Sir John Beddington, the Government chief scientific adviser, and his officials discussed the evidence around bovine TB and badgers with Professor Watson and DEFRA officials when the proposals (and supporting documents) in the public consultation were in development. He has also discussed this issue with me and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman). DEFRA officials continue to be in regular contact with Sir John and the Government Office for Science.

Coastal Erosion: East Sussex

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions her Department has had on coastal erosion between Brighton and Peacehaven;
	(2)  what steps her Department is taking to prevent erosion of the (a) coastline and (b) A259 coastal road between Brighton and Peacehaven.

Richard Benyon: Under the Coast Protection Act 1949, Brighton and Hove city council and Lewes district council are the competent operating authorities with permissive powers to undertake coastal erosion management work for the coastline between Brighton and Peacehaven.
	The Environment Agency provides the strategic coastal overview on behalf of DEFRA. It assesses all risk, prioritises risk management programmes, and allocates and manages funding for work programmes.
	The recently reviewed Beachy Head to Selsey Bill Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) includes the Brighton to Peacehaven frontage. For the majority of both the frontage and the A259, the SMP recommends a policy of "holding the line" of the toe of the cliff. For part of the frontage at Telscombe cliffs, which includes a smaller section of the A259 and currently has no defences, there is a policy of "no active intervention".
	The forthcoming Newhaven Harbour to Brighton Marina Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategy will develop the SMP policy further and identify options for managing the coastline for the next 100 years. This will include a detailed assessment of the likely costs involved, including the likelihood of central Government funding in accordance with the latest DEFRA flood and coastal resilience partnership funding policy.
	This strategy is to be led by Lewes district council, and a request for flood defence grant in aid of £325,000 has been submitted in this year's Medium Term Plan for funding to begin in 2012-13.

Farmers: Carbon Emissions

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals her Department has to (a) improve energy efficiency, (b) encourage greater uptake of renewable energy sources by farmers and (c) reduce land use change emissions from agriculture to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in 2020.

James Paice: Energy efficiency is a key focus of the Government's energy and climate change strategy. The Government are also keen for farm businesses to improve their energy efficiency through the uptake of low-carbon and energy efficient equipment. We are working closely with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), which leads on energy policy, to ensure that its policies include farm businesses.
	A wide range of policies are in place or under development, as set out in the Carbon Plan published in March. These include major initiatives such as the forthcoming Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation, and the existing Carbon Emissions Reduction Target. DEFRA's contributions to improving energy efficiency cover a range of policy areas including product standards, corporate carbon reporting, water efficiency, and resource efficiency.
	Agri-environment schemes have the potential, either through previous, current or new land management practice to deliver greenhouse gas reductions of 3.46 million, tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year.

Food

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Totnes of 27 June 2011, Official Report, column 497W, on food, what steps she plans to take to ensure that food procured by the public sector meets British or equivalent standards of production wherever this can be achieved without increasing overall costs.

James Paice: We want to improve standards of public food procurement where this can be achieved without increasing the overall costs. This means closely assessing the costs and benefits of various options for the procurement of food that is healthy, sustainable and ethically sourced. Our proposals have been submitted to external review to make sure we get this right and we have published guidance for buyers alongside the standards.
	We are working with major local authority buying organisations in the PR05 group to encourage the voluntary inclusion of Government Buying Standards into national food and catering procurement frameworks, which will enable public sector bodies to achieve cost savings without compromising on quality or sustainability.
	In addition, DEFRA is developing training for catering managers and procurers in the public sector on efficient and sustainable food procurement based around the Government Buying Standards and using examples of best practice from around the country.
	We believe that local people are best placed to decide what is best in their communities. Greater transparency across Government is at the heart of our shared commitment to enable the public to hold politicians and public bodies to account. Local government are required to publish details of contracts over £500, and NHS bodies are required to publish contracts over £10,000.

Foxes: Disease Control

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on measures to address the spread of alveolar echinococcosis in the fox population; and what discussions she has had with the devolved administrations on the matter.

James Paice: Ongoing surveillance of wild foxes has demonstrated that the fox population in the UK remains free of echinococcus multilocularis. Similarly, no domestic cases of human infection by the tapeworm E. multilocularis have been found. The UK's geographic separation from continental Europe essentially eliminates the risk of the introduction of E. multilocularis through the cross-border movement of wild animals to a negligible level.
	A qualitative assessment of the risk of importing the tapeworm E. multilocularis via the movement of pet animals to the UK has been carried out by DEFRA. Exposure of a pet to infection depends on the country visited and whether the pet has ingested any infected rodents. Alveolar echinococcosis is restricted to the northern hemisphere and has become more of a problem in some urban fox populations. The risk is currently mitigated by a requirement to treat all cats and dogs with Praziquantel (certified by a vet in the pet passport or third country official veterinary certificate) before entering the UK.
	We recognise that without our current treatment regime there would be an increased risk of disease introduction and the disease could become established in the UK rodent or fox population. The European Commission has given a strong indication that it will shortly come forward with proposals that would enable the UK and other tapeworm free countries to retain tapeworm controls with a treatment window of one-five days.
	The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), recently wrote to the devolved Administrations, updating them on the changes to the pet movement controls, including the steps being taken to retain controls on tapeworm. DEFRA officials hold regular discussions with counterparts in the devolved Administrations on these issues.

Marine Conservation Zones

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress the statutory nature conservation bodies have made towards the objective of designating an ecologically-coherent network of marine protected areas by 2012.

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether she plans to designate a management regime for species and habitats that are not features of conservation importance to ensure their protection within a marine conservation zone;
	(2)  by what means marine conservation zones will protect species and habitats listed in the Annex to the Habitats Directive which are found at nationally rather than internationally important thresholds;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of the management provisions resources required to ensure that requirements for site objectives and requirements for an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas are fulfilled;
	(4)  whether marine conservation zones may be designated in respect of species and habitats which do not constitute features of conservation importance.

Richard Benyon: The Government are committed to delivering on its vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. Creating an ecologically-coherent network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which includes Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), is central to conserving marine biodiversity and will contribute to the wider health of our marine ecosystem.
	The four stakeholder-led regional projects have made good progress and presented their draft final recommendations for prospective MCZ sites, including identifying conservation objectives for most sites, at the beginning of June. Taking account of comments from the MPA Science Advisory Panel they will present their final site recommendations and conservation objectives at the end of August.
	The MCZ site recommendations, the formal advice from the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies, and the impact assessments will be sent to Ministers in January 2012. We will give these and the scientific and economic evidence and stakeholders' views careful consideration, before making a decision on sites to take forward to public consultation in early summer 2012 with a view to designation by end the end of 2012.
	The Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies' Ecological Network Guidance to the regional projects describes the requirements for an ecologically coherent network, including those habitats and species of conservation importance considered to be most appropriately protected using MCZs. The guidance is available on Natural England's website. For habitats and species requiring the requiring the establishment of European sites (Special Areas of Conservation and/or Special Protection Areas (SPAs)) in accordance with the EC habitats and birds directives, it is considered that these European sites will provide the requisite contribution to the network.
	MCZs should only be proposed for habitats and species that are protected under the EC habitats and wild birds directives in exceptional circumstances, and where they are essential to meet the ecological coherence objectives of the wider MPA network, as our guidance makes clear.
	When selecting MCZs for habitats and species of conservation importance, particular attention is given to areas of additional ecological importance. These include areas that support particular ecological processes, are important for particular life stages or behaviours of any species, are highly productive or support high biodiversity. Spatial protection mechanisms are not, in isolation, the most effective way of protecting highly mobile species. Protecting some habitats important to mobile species can aid their conservation, as part of wider protection measures that can be applied across their range. We will continue to develop bespoke management measures for vulnerable mobile species, such as acoustic deterrents to reduce dolphin bycatch and fisheries protection for endangered sharks. For birds the SPAs, combined with other sector-wide initiatives (for example under the EU Seabird Plan of Action), will be the primary methods for protection. If areas important to habitats or species not specified in the Ecological Network Guidance are identified, the evidence should be provided and we will consider their protection through MCZs.
	The regional projects are working with stakeholders to identify possible management measures, such as byelaws or voluntary agreements that may be needed. Their likely social and economic effects will be assessed in an impact assessment. This will include the potential resources required for management provisions: for example the potential cost to the Marine Management Organisation and Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities of putting byelaws in place.

Nitrates

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make an assessment of the impact on greenhouse gas emissions abatement of the inclusion of all English regions within nitrate vulnerable zones under the EU Nitrates Directive.

Richard Benyon: The Department is currently funding a research project that is looking at the impact on greenhouse gas emissions from changes to manure management practices as a result of the Nitrates Action Programme. The project will evaluate the effects of the implementation of several possible Action Programme measures, including designating the whole of England as a single Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). Evidence from this and other research projects will assist Ministers in making their final decisions on the designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in England under the EU Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) due in 2012. This work is part of an integrated approach to tackling diffuse pollution from agriculture.
	A consultation document on the review of the NVZ designations in England is due to be published this autumn. This will provide further information on the option of a whole territory approach proposal.

Bahrain: Politics and Government

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the statement by the Minister for the Middle East on 22 June 2011, what representations he has made to the Bahraini authorities on the sentencing of the 21 Bahraini civilians.

Alistair Burt: We have raised our concerns about the arrests of protestors and medical staff, including when the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), met the Crown Prince of Bahrain on 25 May 2011. Our outgoing ambassador to Bahrain has also raised our concerns over the conduct of the trials with the Government of Bahrain, at the highest level. On 29 June 2011, Official Report, columns 957-61, the Secretary of State made a statement to the House of Commons expressing the UK's concerns about the suspension and investigation of political parties, the imprisonment of leading moderate politicians, the alleged mistreatment of detainees and the trial of members of the medical profession before tribunals containing a military judge.

Bahrain: Politics and Government

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the statement by the Minister for the Middle East on 22 June 2011, what reports he has received on the sentence given to Abdulhadi Al Khawaja; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: I am aware of the sentence received by Mr Al Khawaja, and am deeply concerned by the nature of the charges brought against him and the 20 other political figures. We continue to raise our concerns over the conduct of the trials. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) made a statement to the House of Commons on 29 June 2011, Official Report, columns 957-61, expressing the UK's concerns about the suspension and investigation of political parties, the imprisonment of leading moderate politicians, the alleged mistreatment of detainees and the trial of members of the medical profession before tribunals containing a military judge. The Foreign Secretary also raised our concerns about the arrests of protestors and medical staff when he met the Crown Prince of Bahrain on 25 May 2011. Our outgoing ambassador to Bahrain has also raised our concerns at the highest level with the Government of Bahrain.
	We repeatedly urge the Bahrainis that due process should be carefully and transparently followed in the ongoing trials. In this context, we welcome the Government of Bahrain's decision to hold the remaining trials in civilian courts.

Burma: Politics and Government

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the regime in Burma to (a) cease threats to Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy and (b) guarantee her safe and free movement around the country.

Jeremy Browne: In response to veiled threats in the Burmese state media towards the National League for Democracy and Aung San Suu Kyi, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), issued a statement on 30 June. He reminded the Burmese authorities that Aung San Suu Kyi should be able to travel freely without risk to her personal safety and that the authorities' stance was at odds with their message on dialogue and reconciliation. He reminded the Burmese Government that the safety and security of all Burma's people is their responsibility. Foreign and Commonwealth officials raised this issue with the Burmese ambassador on 8 July. Our embassy in Rangoon continues to monitor the situation and remains in close touch with Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy.

Emergency Disaster Reserve

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed the adequacy of the Emergency Disaster Reserve system with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

William Hague: I and other Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers regularly discuss our responses to consular crises including the Emergency Disaster Reserve system with Ministers from Her Majesty's Treasury including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne).

India: Prisoners

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he raised the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar during his meeting with his Indian counterpart on 30 June 2011.

Jeremy Browne: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), did not discuss Mr Bhullar's case with Indian Foreign Minster Krishna when they met on 30 June. I wrote to the Indian high commissioner on 20 June, reiterating the UK Government's strong opposition to the death penalty and urging the Government of India to reconsider Mr Bhullar's sentence. I have also raised our concerns with Indian Foreign Secretary Rao on 28 June, and with Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur on 5 July. We continue to urge the Government of India to establish a formal moratorium as a first step towards the abolition of the death penalty in India.

Sudan: Politics and Government

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his South African counterpart that country's involvement in the demilitarisation of the Abyei region of Sudan.

Jeremy Browne: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and his South African counterpart, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, discussed Sudan, including Abyei, at the recent UK-South Africa bilateral forum. There have also been ongoing discussions between British Ministers and ex-President Thabo Mbeki in his Chair of the African Union Higher Implementation Panel, which is helping to mediate between the two parties to the comprehensive peace agreement.

Syria: Politics and Government

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Syrian Government on arrests and house raids in the city of Hama.

Alistair Burt: As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) said in a statement on 5 July 2011:
	"Violent repression in Hama will only further undermine the regime's legitimacy and raise serious questions about whether it is committed to the reforms it has recently announced. No meaningful political dialogue can take place while there is a brutal military crackdown.
	The UK has made clear that President Assad must reform or step aside. If the regime continues to choose the path of brutal repression, pressure from the international community will only increase."
	My officials in Damascus regularly raise with the Syrian Government the indiscriminate violence perpetrated against peaceful demonstrators, calling for the regime to show restraint and to respond to the legitimate demands of his people with immediate and genuine reform, not with brutal repression.